Pertamina determined to expand CNG infrastructure facilities

By Godang Sitompul

State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina is determined to develop new infrastructure facilities for compressed natural gas (CNG) in major cities in the country to meet the needs of both public vehicles and private cars.

Pertamina Senior Vice President Salis Aprilian told Petromindo.com Wednesday that the infrastructure development would be funded internally and via the state budget.

He added that this year, the company aims to complete the construction of several facilities in Jakarta and surrounding areas, and the revitalization of existing ones in Palembang, South Sumatra, and Bogor, West Java.

In Jakarta, Pertamina is in progress to complete the construction of two gas filling stations. Other projects include a gas pipeline in South Jakarta, mother stations in Tangerang, Banten, and Cibubur, West Java, as well as a number of mobile refueling units. ?The target is for all of these to be completed this year,? Salis said.

Indonesia is struggling to switch from the pricey petroleum-based fuel to cheaper gas amid declining crude oil production.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak